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Sunset Key located a few hundred yards west off of the island of
Key West, Florida.
Photo: Marc Averette
Sunset Key is a 27-acre exclusive resort island in the city of Key West, Florida, United States located about 500 yards off the coast of the island of Key West. The island is privately held among its residents, one of which is the Key West Westin which operates a small number of guest cottages. The island is only accessible by a shuttle boat that runs from the Westin Marina out to the island. The island consists of a total of 32 guest cottages and 71 lots/houses.
Its closest neighbor is Wisteria Island, about 200 yards north.
Sunset Key's official name is Tank Island. The United States Navy constructed Tank Island to serve as a fuel tank depot during the Cold War. Dredging began in 1965 to form the island as well as to build passageways for Submarines and other large vessels. However, the Navy's plans changed and the island saw little military action. Only two of the twelve planned fuel tanks were constructed, and although the fuel lines were run, the tanks were never filled.
In 1986, the Government sold off Tank Island and other anchorage on Key West in an auction. In 1988, the tanks were dismantled, however the remaining fuel lines served as conduits for water, sewage, and utility. Power was later laid alongside the existing fuel pipes.
In 1994, the island was re-purchased and renamed to Sunset Key. The island is now owned by Tom Walsh, who also owns the Westin Key West Resort & Marina.[1]
- ^ Sunset Key History
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Florida Keys |
| Biscayne National Park |
Soldier Key, Ragged Keys, Boca Chita Key, Sands Key, Elliott Key, Adams Key, Old Rhodes Key, City of Islandia |
| Upper keys |
Key Largo (island), North Key Largo (CDP), Key Largo (CDP), Tavernier (CDP), Plantation Key (island), Plantation Key (former CDP), Windley Key, Upper Matecumbe Key, Indian Key, Lignumvitae Key, Lower Matecumbe Key, Village of Islamorada |
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Craig Key, Fiesta Key, Long Key, City of Layton, Conch Key, Duck Key (CDP), Grassy Key, Crawl Key, Long Point Key, Fat Deer Key, Key Vaca, City of Marathon, City of Key Colony Beach, Boot Key, Knight's Key, Pigeon Key |
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Little Duck Key, Missouri Key, Ohio Key, Sunshine Key, Bahia Honda Key, Spanish Harbor Key, West Summerland Key, No Name Key, Big Pine Key (CDP), Little Torch Key, Middle Torch Key, Big Torch Key, Ramrod Key, Summerland Key, Knockemdown Key, Cudjoe Key (CDP), Sugarloaf Key, Park Key, Lower Sugarloaf Key, Saddlebunch Keys, Shark Key, Geiger Key, Big Coppitt Key (CDP), East Rockland Key, Rockland Key, Boca Chica Key, Key Haven, Stock Island (CDP), Key West, Sigsbee Park, Fleming Key, Sunset Key, Wisteria Island |
| Outlying islands |
Mule Keys, Ballast Key, Marquesas Keys, Dry Tortugas, Tortugas Bank |
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| Other topics |
Monroe County, Conch Republic, Overseas Highway, Overseas Railroad, Card Sound Bridge, Seven Mile Bridge, Bahia Honda Bridge, Theater of the Sea, Hurricane Wilma, Labor Day Hurricane of 1935, Key Deer, Ocean Reef Club, Key lime pie, Florida Keys Keynoter, Key West Citizen |